'The Favourite': Emma Stone Serves The Mad Queen In First Clip

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Filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos has been riding a hot streak lately. With “Dogtooth,” “The Lobster,” and last year’s “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” the director has impressed many critics and film fans alike, as he’s carved out a unique place in the film world. And judging by everything we’ve seen about his latest film, “The Favourite,” it appears that Lanthimos’ streak of impressive, albeit odd, films will continue a little longer.

And in anticipation of “The Favourite’s” impending Venice Film Festival debut, we have the first clip from the highly-anticipated film. In the footage, we see Emma Stone, as the servant Abigail, presenting hot chocolate to the Queen and Lady Sarah. As you might expect from a Lanthimos film, the camera work on display in what is a fairly simple scene is impressive. In addition, the dialogue is incredible, with the confusion of whether or not the Queen needs the warm drink, and what might happen if she actually consumes it.

“The Favourite” features an incredible cast with Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, James Smith, and Mark Gatiss joining Stone.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.

“The Favourite” opens November 23 via Fox Searchlight, but premieres today at the Venice Film Festival. You’ll be able to read our review at 3pm ET. Stay tuned and watch the first clip below in anticipation of the film.

New photos below too.